IMG_0734Sparsholt College students, with the support of Harrow Way Community School and Lions in the Community, planned, prepared and ran an outstanding Town Schools’ Football Tournament recently. Sixteen teams entered. Four teams from Balksbury Junior, three from each of Anton Junior and Portway Junior, two from the Discovery Federation and a team from each of Vigo Junior, Andover CE Primary, St Johns RC Primary and Whitchurch CE Primary.

During the welcome to the schools, Tom Pattison introduced an England star, Charlie Gunsom. Charlie plays for England Schools U18 team and was on hand during the afternoon to lead a skills session and sign autographs. He was very popular!

Forming four pools and on four pitches (Wembley, Bernabeau, San Siro and Nou Camp), the teams played their matches with enthusiasm, excellent sportsmanship, superb skill and great teamwork. The Sparsholt students, who refereed and ran the pitches smoothly, were very impressed!

Eight Harrow Way Year 7 students also supported the tournament by pitch marshalling, scoring and leading teams. They were invaluable to the smooth running of the afternoon.

Following on from the high quality group games, the teams were split into a Champions League and a Europa League, with quarter finals the first matches to be played. With only one game going to penalties, the finals of both were decided quite quickly. In the Europa League final, Anton B won by two goals to one, beating Andover CE Primary and collecting an Andover Town sponsored trophy. The Champions League final was another tight and exciting match, with Balksbury A earning the winners’ medals and Town Schools’ Association trophy, beating St Johns by just one goal.

Michael Serridge, headteacher at Harrow Way Community School, presented the trophies and medals.

Many thanks are due for this tournament:

  • To the fantastic players who were superb ambassadors for football. Skills, teamwork and sportsmanship were all outstanding!
  • To Lions in the Community for their continued support of football in Andover.
  • To the schools, teachers and parents who have supported the teams.
  • To the Harrow Way leaders for their excellent help.
  • And finally, to the Sparsholt students for working so hard to produce a brilliant tournament!

Year 7 leaders: Bronwyn Barton-Knott, Amber Cherrington, Connor Burrow, Agata Ruminska, Sammy Harrison, Mikey Summerfield, Kian Terry and Callum Blake.